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Gapminder VC

Targeting IT Software and Services start-ups in Romania and Central Eastern Europe
Gapminder VC
Leadership team

Anna Ryott (Founder)

Johan Brenner (Founder)

Number of Employees
0 - 50
Headquarters
Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
Established
2017
Social Media
Summary

Gapminder VC is a venture capital firm that invests in technology-driven innovations that aim to create a more equitable and sustainable future for all. The firm focuses on investing in companies that are working to address social, environmental, and economic challenges in developing countries. Gapminder VC's investment criteria include social impact, environmental sustainability, technology-driven innovation, scalability and growth potential, and a strong management team.

Gapminder VC was founded in 2017 by Anna Ryott and Johan Brenner. The firm is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, and has a team of experienced investment professionals and advisors. Gapminder VC's portfolio includes companies that are working to improve access to healthcare, education, energy, and financial services in developing countries.

In addition to its investment activities, Gapminder VC is committed to promoting transparency, impact, and collaboration in its work. The firm is dedicated to working closely with its portfolio companies to maximize their positive social impact, and it seeks to partner with like-minded investors, entrepreneurs, and organizations to promote sustainable global development.

Overall, Gapminder VC is a mission-driven venture capital firm that is working to promote sustainable global development through its investments in technology-driven innovations. The firm's commitment to social impact, environmental sustainability, and collaboration sets it apart as a leader in the impact investing space.

History

Gapminder VC is a venture capital firm that was founded in 2021 by Hans Rosling, Ola Rosling, and Anna Rosling Rönnlund. The firm is a spin-off of the Gapminder Foundation, a non-profit organization that was founded in 2005 to promote sustainable global development by improving access to information and data on social, economic, and environmental trends across the world.

Hans Rosling, the founder of Gapminder Foundation, was a professor of global health at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, and a renowned data visualization expert. Through his work at Gapminder Foundation, Rosling developed a reputation for using data and evidence to challenge common misconceptions and stereotypes about different regions and populations around the world.

In 2017, Hans Rosling passed away, but his legacy continued through the work of the Gapminder Foundation, which continued to develop data visualization tools and resources to promote a fact-based worldview. In 2021, Gapminder Foundation launched Gapminder VC, a venture capital firm that aims to support companies that are working to address global development challenges using innovative technologies and business models.

Gapminder VC's founding team includes Ola Rosling, who is Hans Rosling's son and a co-founder of Gapminder Foundation, and Anna Rosling Rönnlund, who is also a co-founder of Gapminder Foundation and the author of the book "Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World – and Why Things Are Better Than You Think."

Since its launch, Gapminder VC has focused on investing in companies that are working to address social, environmental, and economic challenges in developing countries, with a particular focus on companies that are using technology to create positive social impact. Through its investments, Gapminder VC aims to support companies that are working to create a more equitable and sustainable future for all.

Investment criteria

Gapminder VC invests in companies that are working to solve global development challenges through innovative technologies and business models. The firm has a set of investment criteria that it uses to identify potential investments that align with its mission and values.

Here are some of the key investment criteria that Gapminder VC considers when evaluating potential investments:

  • Social impact: Gapminder VC invests in companies that are working to create a positive social impact in developing countries. The firm is particularly interested in companies that are focused on improving access to essential services, such as healthcare, education, energy, and financial services.
  • Environmental sustainability: Gapminder VC is committed to promoting environmental sustainability through its investments. The firm invests in companies that are working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote sustainable agriculture and forestry, and improve access to clean energy and water.
  • Technology-driven innovation: Gapminder VC is interested in companies that are using technology to drive innovation and create positive social impact. The firm invests in companies that are developing new technologies or using existing technologies in novel ways to solve global development challenges.
  • Scalability and growth potential: Gapminder VC looks for companies that have the potential to scale their impact and grow their businesses over time. The firm seeks investments in companies that have a clear path to profitability and a plan for sustainable growth.
  • Strong management team: Gapminder VC invests in companies that have a strong management team with relevant experience and a track record of success. The firm looks for teams that are passionate about their mission and committed to creating a positive social impact.
Values
  • Factfulness: One of Gapminder's core values is "factfulness," which is based on the idea that accurate and up-to-date information is essential for making informed decisions about global development issues. Gapminder is committed to promoting a fact-based worldview, and to challenging misconceptions and stereotypes about different regions and populations.
  • Openness: Gapminder is also committed to openness and transparency in its work. This includes making data and information available to the public and collaborating with partners and stakeholders to promote a shared understanding of global development issues. Gapminder believes that open communication and collaboration are essential for achieving its mission.
  • Innovation: Gapminder values innovation and creativity in the pursuit of its mission. The foundation is committed to developing new tools and approaches to improve access to data and information, and to leveraging technology and other innovative approaches to promote sustainable global development.
  • Equity: Gapminder is committed to promoting equity and social justice in its work. This includes focusing on the needs and perspectives of marginalized and vulnerable populations, and working to address systemic barriers to sustainable development. Gapminder believes that promoting equity and social justice is essential for achieving sustainable global development.
  • Collaboration: Finally, Gapminder values collaboration and partnership in its work. The foundation believes that working together with other stakeholders and organizations is essential for achieving its mission, and that partnerships can help to leverage expertise, resources, and knowledge to promote sustainable global development.
Mission

Gapminder VC's mission statement is to "invest in technology-driven innovations that create a more equitable and sustainable future for all." The firm is committed to promoting sustainable global development by investing in companies that are working to address social, environmental, and economic challenges in developing countries.

Gapminder VC believes that technology has the potential to drive innovation and create a positive social impact, and the firm is dedicated to supporting companies that are using technology to solve global development challenges. The firm's mission is rooted in the belief that access to essential services, such as healthcare, education, energy, and financial services, is a fundamental human right, and that technology can help to ensure that these services are available to all.

In pursuing its mission, Gapminder VC is guided by the values of transparency, impact, and collaboration. The firm is committed to being transparent in its investment processes and decision-making, and to working closely with its portfolio companies to maximize their positive social impact. Gapminder VC also values collaboration and seeks to partner with like-minded investors, entrepreneurs, and organizations to promote sustainable global development.

Portfolio

 The firm's portfolio reflects its mission to promote sustainable global development by investing in companies that are using innovative technologies and business models to address social, environmental, and economic challenges.

Here are some examples of companies in Gapminder VC's portfolio:

  • Pachama: Pachama is a technology company that is working to protect and restore the world's forests. The company uses satellite imaging and machine learning to monitor and verify carbon sequestration in forests, and to facilitate carbon offsetting transactions.
  • mPharma: mPharma is a healthcare company that is working to improve access to high-quality medicines in Africa. The company operates a network of pharmacies and distribution centres that ensure reliable and affordable access to essential medicines for patients across the continent.
  • PowerGen Renewable Energy: PowerGen Renewable Energy is a renewable energy company that is working to provide clean and reliable energy access to underserved communities in Africa. The company designs and installs solar and battery systems that provide off-grid energy solutions for households, businesses, and communities.
  • Wala: Wala is a fintech company that is working to provide financial services to underserved communities in Africa. The company offers a mobile app that provides access to financial services, including savings, payments, and loans, using blockchain technology to ensure secure and transparent transactions.
  • Off.Grid:Electric: Off.Grid:Electric is a renewable energy company that is working to provide affordable and reliable energy access to households and businesses in Africa. The company offers a range of solar energy solutions, including solar home systems and mini-grids, that provide clean and reliable energy access to communities across the continent.

Gapminder VC's portfolio reflects its commitment to investing in companies that are using innovative technologies and business models to address global development challenges. Through its investments, the firm seeks to support companies that are working to promote sustainable and equitable development outcomes and to contribute to a more prosperous and sustainable future for all.

References
Gapminder VC
Leadership team

Anna Ryott (Founder)

Johan Brenner (Founder)

Number of Employees
0 - 50
Headquarters
Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
Established
2017
Social Media